KC Crain: Great generosity helps make the best Detroit

KC Crain is publisher of Crain's Detroit Business and president of Crain Communications Inc.

I've been in Detroit my whole life. I left for university but came back to start my career in this city more than 15 years ago.

And the Detroit I see today is absolutely the best Detroit in my lifetime.

I'm guessing a lot of people could say that. I know some longtime Detroiters may not agree. Yes, there's hard work to do in education and neighborhoods. But we need to remember where we were 10 or even 20 years ago.

Last week, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced Dan Gilbert will speak Feb. 28 at its Detroit Policy Conference, the event created to focus solely on the city as a balance to the broader topics covered in the annual Mackinac Policy Conference.

Dan Gilbert. It still amazes me that a single person could make such an impact on our city. He has critics. Why should a billionaire get tax credits? Others say he isn't doing enough in Detroit neighborhoods.

I'm not sure that's his job. Nevertheless, he actually has teams of people working to prevent foreclosures, do housing rehab and help Detroit public school students learn new skills like coding.

In 2010, when Detroit — and the country — were coming out of the worst recession since the Depression, Gilbert bought his first downtown building.

Quicken Loans was in Livonia, with offices all over the metro area. He brought all employees downtown, making a big bet on Detroit.

He saw an opportunity to acquire massive amounts of real estate at low cost. When those bets paid off, he doubled down. He's now building the tallest building in Detroit. He will generate a massive amount of wealth through all of his investments in the city.

Good for him.

After Detroit's bankruptcy, we had the benefit of a new mayor who knew how to run government like a business. You know, the simple practice of spending less than you're taking in.

It also helped that we have one of the most generous communities in America. Think of the Ford family and their contribution by returning the Lions to Detroit with Ford Field. Now the company — and family — are back with a massive investment in Corktown. Same goes for the Ilitch family and their development around The District and the Gores group deciding to move the Pistons downtown. Will they make money? Sure. But they could also make money outside of Detroit.

We have a long list of people who have invested in and contributed to our comeback. In philanthropy, consider the William Davidson Foundation, created by the late owner of the Detroit Pistons, and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, created by the late owner of the Buffalo Bills. Each has pumped millions of dollars of grants in the city, too.

It's important we don't take any of this for granted. Not saying we can sit back, but it's important to reflect.